What to do With Leftover Moving Boxes & Supplies

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVER MOVING BOXES & SUPPLIES

When moving day is over, the empty moving boxes all the belongings were in seem less useful than they were before. No need to let these boxes simply take up space in a new home. There are plenty of smart ways to reuse or otherwise repurpose moving boxes, whether one will use them in the home or send them off to somewhere else they’ll be useful. Try one of these ideas to keep moving boxes useful past their original purpose.

RECYCLING MOVING BOXES

As most (if not all) moving boxes are made out of recyclable material, recycling them is easy. The simplest way to recycle a bunch of moving boxes is to flatten them all individually, starting by cutting all the tape off each box with something sharp. Once all the tape is off, each box should be laid flat easily enough, taking up the minimum amount of space. The boxes can then be placed in any normal paper recycling area easily enough.

DONATING MOVING BOXES

Moving boxes can be donated too, if one is looking for a different way to “recycle” their boxes. There aren’t always obvious places to do so, but there is likely some place around willing to take your moving boxes. Local schools often need boxes for various reasons, including donation drives. Goodwill stores could use boxes to transport items. Religious centers like churches can always use donations. Homeless shelters and orphanages experience plenty of movement, so these places could be open to a moving box donation. If all else fails, just post to Craigslist or another message board about the moving boxes available to give away, and there will likely be someone who can use them.

KEEP THEM

After flattening moving boxes, they don’t really take up that much space, and there are plenty of uses for these boxes to begin with, so why not hang onto them? Most people move fairly frequently, so the day will certainly come where those boxes will be useful again. Find a corner to put the moving boxes there won’t be any worries about gathering enough boxes for the next move.

USE THEM FOR STORAGE

Boxes are meant for holding items, so why not use them to better organize existing storage? Moving boxes are great for, among other things, storing vinyl records. A book box (explained here) is about the perfect size for LPs. Various sized boxes can be used to store just about anything, including toys (for pets or kids), seasonal clothes (like long johns and swim trunks), memorabilia, personal relics, etc.

REPURPOSE THEM

One of the most fun things to do with moving boxes after moving day is repurposing them. With a pair of scissors, a tape dispenser and an active imagination, old boxes can become something much more fun. Here are our favorite ideas:

BUILD A FORT

Kids have a strange love of cardboard boxes - they especially love to use them to build makeshift forts. With the unlimited imagination that young kids have, a fort can be part of so many different fantastical games.

SEND A CARE PACKAGE

Send a loved one stationed far away a few favorite things to remind them they’re loved. This is perfect for parents of college students!

MAKE A SUGGESTION BOX

Cut a hole on top of a moving box and put little suggestions inside. Great for small businesses and families who don’t want to forget those great ideas that can often get lost in the shuffle.

BUILD A MAZE

Cardboard mazes are a little tricky - but if the iniative is taken, it can be a really fun project. Check out this maze made from Oz boxes: